Bicycle taillight with parallel lighting element

Abstract

A bicycle is disclosed comprising wheels, a frame assembly supported on the wheels and including a mounting portion defining a mounting axis, and a lighting system mounted on the mounting portion. The lighting system includes a power source and a lighting element having a lighting axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting axis. Preferably, the mounting axis is at an angle of 70-75 degrees relative to horizontal. The lighting system can further include a primary electronic board positioned substantially parallel to the mounting axis and a secondary electronic board positioned substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis. The lighting element is mounted on the secondary electronic board. The power source is preferably positioned between the primary electronic board and the mounting portion. The lighting system can further comprise a reflector positioned to receive light from the lighting element and direct a majority of the light in a substantially horizontal direction.

1 . A bicycle comprising:
 front and rear wheels;   a frame assembly supported on the front and rear wheels and including a mounting portion defining a mounting axis; and   a lighting system mounted on the mounting portion, the lighting system including a power source and a lighting element powered by the power source, the lighting element having a lighting axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting axis.   
     
     
         2 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a seat, wherein the mounting portion comprises a seat post supporting the seat. 
     
     
         3 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the frame assembly further includes a main frame, wherein a position of the seat post is adjustable relative to the main frame. 
     
     
         4 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting axis is at an angle of 65 degrees to 80 degrees relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         5 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the mounting axis is at an angle of 70 degrees to 75 degrees relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         6 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lighting system further includes an electronic board positioned substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, and wherein the lighting element is mounted on the electronic board. 
     
     
         7 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the lighting element comprises an LED. 
     
     
         8 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the lighting element is positioned on a top side of the electronic board. 
     
     
         9 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lighting system comprises a primary electronic board positioned substantially parallel to the mounting axis and a secondary electronic board positioned substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, and wherein the lighting element is mounting on the secondary electronic board. 
     
     
         10 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the power source is positioned between the primary electronic board and the mounting portion. 
     
     
         11 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lighting system further comprises a reflector positioned to receive light from the lighting element and direct a majority of the light in a substantially horizontal direction. 
     
     
         12 . A bicycle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power source defines a power axis that is substantially parallel to the lighting axis. 
     
     
         13 . A bicycle lighting system comprising:
 a mounting portion adapted to be coupled to a bicycle, the mounting portion defining a mounting axis;   a housing secured to the mounting portion;   a power source positioned in the housing; and   a lighting element powered by the power source, the lighting element having a lighting axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting axis.   
     
     
         14 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising an electronic board positioned substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, and wherein the lighting element is mounting on the electronic board. 
     
     
         15 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the lighting element comprises an LED. 
     
     
         16 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the lighting system comprises a primary electronic board positioned substantially parallel to the mounting axis and a secondary electronic board positioned substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, and wherein the lighting element is mounted on the secondary electronic board. 
     
     
         17 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the power source is positioned between the primary electronic board and the mounting portion. 
     
     
         18 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a reflector positioned to receive light from the lighting element and direct a majority of the light in a direction that is 65 degrees to 80 degrees offset from the lighting axis. 
     
     
         19 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the reflector is positioned to direct a majority of the light in a direction that is 70 degrees to 75 degrees offset from the lighting axis. 
     
     
         20 . A bicycle lighting system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the power source defines a power axis that is substantially parallel to the lighting axis.